Mechanism for adjusting deflector for discharge chute of snow removal machine

ABSTRACT

A snow removal machine including a wheeled chassis with a prime mover and a control station, a snow removal frame pivotally mounted on the front of the chassis for movement up and down, a snow gathering housing on the frame, snow removal blades rotatable in the housing and driven by the prime mover, an upwardly directed snow discharge chute rotatable on the housing about an upright axis, a curved deflector pivotally mounted on the upper end of the chute, and means for pivotally adjusting the deflector from the control station.

United States Patent 1 Gunderson Apr. 29, 1975 1 MECHANISM FOR ADJUSTINGDEFLECTOR FOR DISCHARGE CHUTE OF SNOW REMOVAL MACHINE [76] Inventor:Ralph R. Gunderson, 8212 S.

Homan, Chicago, 111. 60652 [22}- Filed: Mar. 5, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:337,918

[52] US. CL, 37/43 R; 285/272; 74/25; 193/22 [51] Int. Cl E0lh 5/00 [58]Field of Search 37/43 A, 43 R, 43 C, 43 D, 37/43 E; 302/10, 34, 61'.193/15-17. 22;

[ 5 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.814.695 7/1931 Hinclinc37/43 B 2.642.680 6/1953 Curtis et al 37/43 E 2.916.330 12/1959Dummowski 302/34 3239255 3/1966 Murcott 285/319 X 3.244.437 4/1966Belicka ct a1 285/319 X 1/1967 lbisch 37/43 B 3.347.575 10/1967 Morris285/319 X 3,357,749 12/1967 Seymour et a1. 214/17 C 3,466,767 9/1969Rubin 37/43 R 3.483.960 12/1969 Wightman et al. 37/43 D 3.510.171 5/1970Bacon 37/43 R X Primary Examiner-Edgar S. Burr Assistant E.\'aminerE. H.Eickholt Attorney, Agent, or FirmWegner, Stellman, McCord, Wiles & Wood[57] ABSTRACT A snow removal machine including a wheeled chassis with aprime mover and a control station, a snow removal frame pivotallymounted on the front of the chassis for movement up and down, a snowgathering housing on the frame, snow removal blades rotatable in thehousing and driven by the prime mover, an upwardly directed snowdischarge chute rotatable on the housing about an upright axis. a curveddeflector pivotally mounted on the upper end of the chute. and means forpivotally adjusting the deflector from the control station.

22 Claims. 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRZSIBYS 79 5 SHEET 1 OF 2PATENTEDAPmms 3,879,866

MECHANISM FOR ADJUSTING DEFLECTOR FOR DISCHARGE CHUTE OF SNOW REMOVALMACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to asnow removal machine, and particularly to means for adjusting apivotally mounted deflector at the upper end of a discharge chute in asnow removal machine.

There are various commercially available poweroperated snow removalmachines which include a snow gathering housing at the front of atwo-wheel or fourwheel chassis with rotatable snow removal blades forforcing snow into an upwardly directed snow discharge chute which isrotatoable about an upright axis. The upper end of the snow dischargechute includes a pivotally mounted deflector, and angular adjustment ofthe chute enables snow discharge to one side or the other of the path ofmovement. In the past, it has been conventional to provide manuallyaccessible means adjacent the operators control station for angularlyadjusting the discharge chute. On the other hand, it has not always beenusual to provide remote control means for adjusting the deflector fromthe operators control station. Instead, it has often been a requirementthat the deflector must be adjusted locally at the position of itsmounting, as a result of which it is necessary to discontinue operationof the machine in order to adjust the deflector.

In some machines, provision has been made for adjustment of thedischarge deflector remotely from an operators control station. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 2,971,279 relates to a rotary snow plow in whicha deflector is adjustable by a loose cable arranged in a cable guidewhich is offset from the axis of rotation of the chute.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,229,546 relates to a rotary snow plow with cable meansfor adjusting a deflector on a discharge chute, including a loose cableon a stationary cable guide pulley and additional guide rollers forholding the cable on the pulley when the chute is angularly directedtoward opposite sides of the machine.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,510,171 relates to a snow removing machine in which adeflector is adjustable by a Bowden cable in a sheath.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,741,512 relates to a forage harvester with an adjustabledeflector controlled by a cable mechanism held by a ratchet device.

In view of various disadvantages associated with deflector adjustmentcontrols of the type described, it would be desirable to provide animproved deflector adjustment mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of the present inventionto provide a new and improved mechanism for adjusting a deflector at theupper end of a discharge chute in a snow removal machine whereinprovision is made for applying appropriate force to adjust the deflectorin all angular positions of the discharge chute, wherein the adjustmentmechanisn is not subject to clogging or binding in cold weather andwherein the deflector may be returned to the uppermost position from anypivotally adjusted position.

A more specific object is to provide a new and improved deflectoradjusting mechanism of the type described including a mounting bracketon an upright angularly adjustable chute, a pulley block mounted on thebracket for pivotal movement about an axis aligned with the axis ofrotation of the chute, a pulley rotatably mounted on the block, and acable secured to the deflector and passing around the pulley to acontrol station, so that appropriate force may be applied to thedeflector regardless of the angular position of the chute.

Provision is made for anchoring the accessible end of the adjustmentcable adjacent the control station, so that the deflector is held inadjusted positions without continuous attention of the operator. In suchan arrangement, the mounting of the cable guide pulley for pivotalmovement about an axis aligned with the axis of rotation of the chuteassures that the cable path remains at a constant length for all angularpositions of the chute, as a result of which the deflector is maintainedin accurately adjusted position while the chute is angularly adjusted.

In the construction illustrated herein, the snow gathering housing ispivotally mounted about an axis low on the front of the chassis, so thatthe housing may be adjusted between an upper retracted position and alower operative position, and so that the housing is pivotal relative tothe chassis to follow undulations in the surface being plowed The cablefor adjusting the deflector is led through a path which includes a cableguide adjacent the pivotal axis of the snow gathering housing,approximately on a radius between such pivotal axis and the cable guidepulley, as a result of which the path of the cable remains substantiallyconstant, and the deflector remains substantially in the same angularposition when the snow gathering housing moves pivotally relative to thechassis.

In one embodiment illustrated herein, the mounting bracket on theangularly adjustable chute comprises an inverted U-shaped member havinglower ends secured to opposite sides of the chute, and an upper portiondisposed above the chute behind the deflector for supporting a cableguide mounted on the upper portion of the bracket in line with the axisof rotation of the chute.

The cable guide on the upper portion of the U- shaped bracket comprisesa pivotally mounted pulley in one construction and comprises an aperturelined with bearing material in another construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of atractor including a snow removal attachment and a deflector adjustmentmechanism embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of the deflectoradjusting mechanism illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the chute, deflector and adjusting mechanismillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the adjusting mechanism illustratedin the preceding FIGS;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another form of handle or regulator,different from that in FIGS. I-4 for anchoring the cable;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of still another handle or regulator for anchoringthe cable;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the mechanism illustrated in FIG. 6, takenat about the line 77 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the deflectoractuating mechanism utilizing a mounting bracket different form that inFIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the mechanism illustrated in FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective elevation of anotherembodiment in which:the cable guide on the, mounting bracket differs from that illustratedin FIGS. 8 and 9; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken at about theline 11-11 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to thedrawings in more detail, and first the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, theinvention is illustrated in connection with a garden tractor 10 having apower operated snow removal attachment 12. The tractor 10 includes achassis 14 supported on wheels including a pair of rear propellingwheels as at 15 and a pair of front steering wheels as at 16. In thetractor illustrated, there is a prime mover in the form of a gasolineengine 18 on the front of the chassis 14 connected to drive anappropriate transmission connected for rotating the propelling wheels15. The engine is adapted to be controlled from a control panel 19located adjacent to a steering wheel 20 for controlling the front wheels16. The control panel 19 and the steering wheel 20 are adjacent to aseat 22 on which an operator may be seated in a position accessible tothe steering wheel and the control panel for appropriately controllingthe engine 18 and the transmission mechanism driven thereby.

The snow removal attachment 12 includes a snow gathering housing 26extending transversely at the front of the tractor and defining thewidth of the swath to be cut by the snow removal equipment. The housing26 includes a rear wall (not visible), a top wall 27 and end walls as at28 and 29. The front of the housing 26, and the bottom, are largely opento facilitate entry of snow into front of the housing. The housing 26,as well as the mechanism carried thereby, is supported by a pair ofrigidly attached arms extending rearwardly from the housing at oppositesides of the chassis 14, one of which is visible at 31 in FIG. 1. Eachbracket 31 is pivotally mounted at 32 on a support bracket 33 secured tothe side of the chassis as at 34. The housing 26 is movable between alowered operative position illustrated in FIG. 1, and an elevatedretracted position by means of a link 36 having one end connected to anarm on the bracket 31 and having a remote End connected to a lever 37pivotally mounted on the chassis at 38 adjacent to the operatorsstation. The lever 37 includes handle 39 at the upper end which ismanually accessible to an operator on the seat 22. Preferably, thehandle and the lever include a reciprocally mounted plunger adapted topositively hold the lever in an angularly adjusted position with thehousing 26 elevated off the ground.

In order to collect and remove snow in a predetermined path as thetractor progresses, the housing 26 in cludes appropriate rotary blademechanism rotatably mounted as at 42 in opposite end walls 28,29.Preferably, the blade mechanism in the housing 26 includes oppositelydirected blade portions 43 and 44 at opposite ends of the housing formoving snow inwardly toward the mid-portion of the housing where it isdirected upwardly through a chute 46. If desired, there may be secondstage blower or fan in the housing 26 aligned with the chute 46 forforcing the gathered snow upwardly at a high rate of speed so that ineffect the snow is thrown or blown with great force outwardly throughthe chute 46 in a direction determined by the angular adjustment of thechute 46 and a deflector 48 mounted at the upper end of the chute 46.

In order to provide for supply of power to the rotating blade mechanismin the snow removal housing 26, the tractor 10 includes a power takeoffshaft stub (not visible) projecting forwardly from a lower portion ofthe chassis at the front end thereof, and the snow removal attachment 12includes an appropriate flexible drive shaft having one end contained ina housing 50 attached to the front of the tractor. In the housing 50,the power takeoff shaft is connected to the flexible drive shaft, andthe latter has an opposite end extending toward the snow gatheringhousing end wall 29, where the flexible drive shaft is appropriatelyconnected to rotate the blade structure 43,44. The flexible drive shaftpermits vertical movement of the housing 26 relative to the tractoreither under control of the pivoted lever 37 or as the result ofirregularities in the surface where the snow is being removed, while atthe same time the power is continuously transmitted for rotating theblade structure 43,44.

In order to provide for direction of the discharged snow toward one sideor the other of the path of movement of the tractor, the upright snowdischarge chute 46 is mounted for rotation on the housing 26 about anupright axis which is designated 52 in FIG. 4. The lower end of thechute 46 includes an annular outwardly extending flange 53 which isdisposed transverse to the axis 52 and which has a plurality ofapertures 54 adapted to be engaged by a toothed wheel 56 secured on ashaft 57 rotatably mounted in a bracket 58 fixed on the housing 26 (FIG.2). In order to angularly adjust the chute 46 remotely from theoperators station, the rotatable shaft 57 has a universal connection 60with an elongated shaft member 62 supported in an eyelet 63 mounted onthe chassis 14. The long shaft 62 terminates in a handle 65 which isaccessible from the operators staion. As illustrated in the drawings,and particularly FIG. 4, while the chute 46 is angularly adjustableabout an upright axis 52, the chute actually is curved relative to theaxis 52 for purposes of directing snow to one side of the axis 52depending upon the angular adjustment of the chute. Thus, through themedium of the angulated drive shaft 57,62 and the toothed gear wheel 56,the operator may turn the chute within a range of approximately from oneextreme position where the snow is directed laterally toward the leftside of the machine to another extreme position where the snow isdirected laterally toward the right side of the machine.

less upwardly or downwardly relative to the chute, so

that the snow is discharged at a higher or a lower angle.

The deflector 48 is essentially an inverted channelshaped member whichhas approximately a halfcircular transverse cross-sectionalconfiguration, and a longitudinal axis which is somewhat curved in adegree of curvature corresponding approximately to the curvature of thechute 46. At opposite edges, near the lower end, the deflector 48 ispivotally mounted on the chute 46 by means of pivot pins 70. Associatedwith each of the pivotal joints 70, there is a torsion spring 72 in theform of a wire-shaped member having a central portion wrapped around thepivot pin 70, and opposite ends hooked respectively on the chute 46 andthe deflector 48 in a manner such that the springs 72 function to biasthe deflector upwardly relative to the chute 46 toward a relatively openposition where the snow would be permitted to discharge in an upwarddirection. In order to provide for adjustment of the deflector remotely,so that the operator may adjust the deflector from the operatorsstation, to direct discharge at a lower angle, a remote controlmechanism is connected to the deflector 48 and adjustable from theoperators station.

The remote control mechanism for adjusting the deflector 48 includes acable attachment bracket or arm 74 having an upper end portion securedto the deflector 48 at 75. From the mounting 75, the bracket 74 extendsdownwardly behind the chute 46 to a lower terminus 76 to which a cable77 is attached. From the attachment 76, the cable 77 extends upwardlyand about a pulley rotatably mounted at 78 in a pulley block 79. Thepulley block 79 is adapted to swivel in a support bracket 80 which inturn is adapted to swing around a mounting pin 82 at the upper end of apulley support bracket 84 which has a lower end portion secured at 85 tothe chute 46. As will be understood in reference to FIG. 4, the pivotpin 82 for the pulley support bracket 80 is disposed in alingment withthe upright axis 52 about which the chute 46 is angularly adjustable.

After passing about the pulley 78, the cable 77 is led downwardly abouta pulley 86 mounted on a bracket 87 secured to a lower portion of thechassis 14 near the pivotal mounting 32 for the snow gathering housing26. After passing around the pulley 86, the cable 77 is led upwardly andabout a pulley 88 on a bracket 89 mounted on the upper portion of the'tractor at the front end. From the pulley 88, the cable 77 is ledrearwardly to a position near the control panel 19 and the steeringwheel 20.The rear end of the cable 77 is suitably secured to arectangular nut 90 slidable in a guide housing 91 on top of the tractor.The nut 90 is adapted to be secured in adjusted positions longitudinallyin the housing 91 by means of a lock screw 92 threadably mounted in thenut 90. The screw 92 projects through a longitudinal slot in the housing91 so that when the screw is loosened, the nut is slidable to adjust thecable.

In operation, the springs 72 normally bias the deflector 48 in an upwarddirection, and the force of the springs 72 may be opposed by the cable77. If the thumb screw 92 is loosened, and the cable 77 is pulledrearwardly toward the operators station, the opposite end of the cable,at the attachment 76, is pulled upwardly to pivot the deflector 48 in aclockwise direction about the pivot pins 70, so that the upper dischargeend of the deflector 48 is moved in a direction to lower the snowdischarge and direct such discharge more horizontally. If the thumbscrew 92 is loosened, and the resistance force on the cable is reduced,the springs 72 move the deflector 48 upwardly to elevate the snowdischarge and direct the discharge more vertically. When the deflector48 is adjusted to a desired angle, the thumb screw 92 may be tightenedin a manner to lock the nut against movement in the guide 91, so thatthe cable effectively holds the deflector in properly adjusted positionwithout requiring the constant attention of the attendant to hold thecable manually.

The location of the pivot pin 82 for the pulley bracket 80 coincidentwith the axis 52 about which the chute 46 is adjustable, assures thatthe path of the cable 77 remains constant for all angular positions ofthe chute 46. Thus, when the chute 46 is adjusted about the axis 52,such adjustment does not alter the angular adjustment of the deflector48 about pivot pins 70. Further, the location of the pivot pin 82 on theaxis 52 as sures that the position of the pulley support bracket 80remains constant regardless of the angular position of the chute 46.Thus, regardless of the angular disposition of chute 46, the pulleysupport bracket 80 assumes a position in which the cable 77 isappropriately located to apply force to adjust the deflector against thebias of the springs 72.

The path of the cable 77 about the pulley 86 which is mounted adjacentto the pivot axis 32 for the snow collection housing 26 assures that thefront end portion of the cable 77 swings about an axis approximatelycorresponding to the axis about which the housing 26 swings. As a resultof such arrangement, the length of the cable path remains substantiallyconstant when the housing 26 rises and falls with variations in thesurface from which snow is being removed. Thus, the angle of thedeflector 48 remains substantially the same even though the housing 26may move up and down with variations in the road surface.

In the illustration of FIG. 5, an alternative handle or regulator isutilized with cable 77, including a flexible ball chain 93 associatedwith a latch bracket 94 secured on an engine cover 95, as by adhesive orother suitable means, The bracket 94 includes an upright flange 96having a vertical slot 97. The chain 93 is of conventional constructionand includes balls connected by articulated links. The links arepositionable in slot 97 to hold the chain and cable in adjusted positionagainst the bias of springs as at 72 acting on the deflector 48. Thechain 93 is guided in an inverted U-shaped member 98 having lower endswelded or otherwise secured to flange 96 at opposite sides of slot 97,so that when the chain is released it is maintained in the vicinity ofthe latch member. At one end, the chain has a link 99 secured to cable77, and positioned in a bell-shaped stop 100. At the opposite, free end,the chain has a second stop 100 retained thereon. In operation, thestops 100 are too large to pass through guide 98, and thus limitlongitudinal movement of the chain in opposite directions. The chainprovides a means for positively retaining the deflector in adjustedpositions, while permitting rapid adjustment to other positions. Stops100 permit a full range of deflector adjustment while restrictingunnecessary freedom of chain movement.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternative construction isillustrated for adjustably anchoring the end of the cable adjacent tothe operators station to positively hold the cable in adjusted position.More particularly, engine cover supports a plate 101 having an uprightshaft 102 which is secured in place by a lock nut 103 on a threadedlower end of the shaft. A reel or spool 105 is rotatably mounted on theshaft 102, and a deflector adjustment cable 107 has one end secured asat 108 to the reel. The cable 107 passes partially around the reel 105,so that rotation of the reel in a counterclockwise direction as viewedin FIG. 6 has the effect of pulling the cable 107 in a direction tolower a pivotally mounted deflector such as that illustrated at 48 inFIGS. 1-4. To facilitate adjustment, the reel 105 includes a hand gripknob 110 which is manually accessible adjacent the operators station.

In order to provide for retention of the reel in angularly adjustedpositions, the reel 105 is axially movable on the shaft 102. A coiledcompression spring 112 surrounds the shaft 102 and bears against aspring seat 113 on the upper end of the shaft in a manner to bias thereel 105 downwardly toward the plate 101. The reel 105 and the knob 110are adapted to be held in angularly adjusted positions by means of a pin115 integral with the reel and the knob and adapted to engage aplurality of anuglarly spaced apertures 116 in plate 101.

In operation, the spring 112 normally functions to maintain the reel 105and the knob 110 closely adjacent to the plate 101, as illustrated inFIG. 7, with the detent pin 115 seated in one of the detent apertures116 in the plate 101. In this manner, the cable 107 is positively heldin opposition to the bias of the springs such as those illustrated at 72in FIGS. 14, which tend to bias the deflector 48 in an upward direction.Thus, the deflector is held in properly adjusted position. When it isdesirable to vary the adjustment of the deflector, the knob 110 may beraised sufficiently to withdraw the pin 115 from an aperture 116 andpermit angular adjustment of the knob, whereupon the pin 115 may beagain inserted into the appropriate aperture 116.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, there is a showing ofan alternative pulley mounting bracket associated with the angularlyadjustable snow discharge chute. To simplify the description, parts inFIGS. 8 and 9 corresponding to similar parts in FIGS. 14 are designatedby similar reference numbers bearing a prime suffix. More particularly,angularly adjustable chute 46' carries a pivotally adjustable deflector48' mounted by means of pivot pins 70 and biased upwardly toward fullyopen position by means of springs 72. The deflector 48'is adjustably bymeans of a cable 77 having one end secured at 76' to the lower end of acable attachment bracket 74' secured at 75' to the deflector 48'. Thecable 77 passes upwardly from the attachment 76' and about a pulleymounted on a block 79 carried by bracket 80. The brackef'S' is mountedon a pivot pin 120 carried on a projection 121 extending outwardly fromthe upper end of an inverted U- shaped pulley mounting bracket 122having lower ends secures as at 123 on opposite sides of the angularlyadjustable chute 46'. Preferably, the inverted U-shaped pulley mountingbracket 122 is constructed of yieldable material which permits bendingof the bracket so that the lower ends may be moved toward or away fromeach other in a manner to accommodate the bracket for universal use inconnection with various discharge chutes 46 having different diameters.The pivot pin 120 is aligned with axis 52' about which the chute 46' isangularly adjustable.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. and 11, where partscorresponding to previously described parts have been designated withsimilar reference numbers bearing a prime suffix, an angularlyadjustable chute 46' carries a pivotally mounted deflector 48' supportedby pivot pins 70 and biased upwardly toward an open position by springs72. A deflector adjustment cable 77' is secured at 76 to a cableattachment bracket 74 in turn secured to the deflector at 75'. A cablesupport bracket 122 of inverted Ushaped configuration has lower endportions secured at 123' to opposite sides of chute 46'. In lieu of apulley for supporting the cable 77', the upper central portion of thebracket 122' is provided with a centrally located aperture carrying agrommet or eyelet 130 of suitable bearing material such as plasticmaterial in the form of nylon or teflon. In order to facilitate angularadjustment of the chute 46', the grommet 130 is mounted on the bracket122' in a position of alignment with the axis 52 about which the chute46 is angularly adjustable. The use of eyelet 130 simplifies theconstruction by eliminating the need for a pivotally mounted pulley.

It should be understood that while the invention has been illustrated inconnection with four-wheel tractors having propelling wheels at the rearand steering wheels at the front, the invention may be used with otherconstructions such as those involving front-wheel drive, articulatedchassis and two wheels only, for example. The term chassis is usedbroadly to refer to any stationarily mounted portion of the vehicle ofmachine such as chassis, frame, body, skirts, fenders, covers, handlesand the like. The term control station is used to refer to the vicinityof a control panel or other area where vehicle or machine controls arelocated, whether in a four-wheel or two-wheel machine.

I claim:

1. A snow removal machine, comprising,

a. a wheeled chassis having a control station,

b. a snow removal frame on the front of the chassis including a snowgathering housing,

c. snow removal blades rotatable in the housing,

(I. an upwardly directed snow discharge chute rotatable on the housingabout an upright axis,

e. a curved deflector pivotally mounted on the upper end of the chuteand yieldably biased in one direction, and

f. means for pivotally adjusting the deflector from the control station,including f-l. an upright rod having one end secured to the chute toafford a mounting bracket,

f-2. a pulley block mounted on the bracket for pivotal movement aboutthe axis of rotation of the chute,

f-3. a pulley mounted on the block,

f-4. cable guide means on the chassis,

f-5. a cable secured to the deflector and passing from the deflectorabout the pulley and through the cable guide means on the chassis, and

f-6. having an end accessible for adjustment adjacent the controlstation for moving the deflector to adjusted positions.

2. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 1, including a flexiblechain attached to the accessible end of the cable, and a latch bracketon the chassis for holding the chain in longitudinally adjustedpositions.

3. A snow removal machine comprising,

a. a wheeled vehicle having a prime mover and an operators stationthereon,

b. a snow removal framework attached to the front of the vehicleincluding a snow gathering housing and snow removal blades rotatable inthe housing,

c. an upwardly directed snow discharge chute including a lower chuteportion rotatable on the housing about an upright axis, an upper chuteportion of inverted channel shape, and pivot pins mounting oppositeedges of the upper chute portion on the lower chute portion,

d. remote control means for pivotally adjusting the upper chute portionfrom the operators station, including d-l torsion springs mounted ateach pivot joint biasing the upper chute portion upwardly,

d-2. a cable attachment bracket on the rear of the upper chute portion,

d-3. a pulley mounting bracket attached to the lower chute portion,

d-4. a pulley mounted on the pulley mounting bracket above the cableattachment bracket for pivotal movement about an upright axis coincidentwith the axis of rotation of the lower chute portion,

d-5. cable guide means on a front portion of the vehicle,

d-6. a handle adjustably mounted on the vehicle adjacent the operatorsstation,

d-7. a cable secured to the cable attachment bracket and passing aroundthe pulley, through the cable guide means, and secured to the handle,and

d-8. means for securing the handle in adjusted positions against thebias of the torsion springs including a longitudinal guide on thechassis, a nut slidable in the guide and secured to the cable, and athumb screw threaded in the nut for locking the nut in adjustedpositions.

4. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 3, including a flexibleball chain secured to the cable and comprising a plurality of ballsconnected by articulated links, an upright flange on the chassis havinga slot for receiving said links to hold the chain, a guide adjacent theflange constraining the chain, and stops on opposite ends of the chainengageable with the chain guide to limit chain movement in oppositedirections.

5. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 4, wherein said pulleymounting bracket comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket having oppositeends secured to the lower chute portion.

6. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 4, wherein said pulleymounting bracket comprises an upright rod having one end secured to thelower chute portion.

7. A snow removal machine comprising,

a. a wheeled vehicle having a prime mover and an operators stationthereon,

b. a snow removal framework attached to the front of the vehicleincluding a snow gathering housing and snow removal blades rotatable inthe housing,

0. an upwardly directed snow discharge chute including a lower chuteportion rotatable on the housing about an upright axis, an upper chuteportion of inverted channel shape, and pivot pins mounting oppositeedges of the upper chute portion on the lower chute portion,

d. remote control means for pivotally adjusting the upper chute portionfrom the operators station, including d-l. torsion springs mounted ateach pivot joint biasing the upper chute portion upwardly,

d-2. a cable attachment bracket on the rear of the upper chute portion,

d-3. a pulley mounting bracket attached to the lower chute portion,

d-4. a pulley mounted on the pulley mounting bracket above the cableattachment bracket for pivotal movement about an upright axis coincidentwith the axis of rotation of the lower chute portion,

d-5. cable guide means on a front portion of the vehicle,

d-6. a handle adjustably mounted on the vehicle adjacent the operatorsstation,

d-7. a cable secured to the cable attachment bracket and passing aroundthe pulley, through the cable guide means, and secured to the handle,and

d-8. means for securing the handle in adjusted positions against thebias of the torsion springs.

8. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 7, including a pulleyblock mounted on the pulley mounting bracket for pivotal movement aboutsaid upright axis and rotatably supporting said pulley.

9. A snow removal machine, comprising,

a. a wheel chassis having a prime mover and a control station,

b. a snow removal frame pivotally mounted about an axis low on the frontof the chassis including a snow gathering housing movable up and down,

c. snow removal blades rotatable in the housing,

(1. an upwardly directed snow discharge chute rotatable on the housingabout an upright axis,

e. a deflector pivotally mounted on the upper end of the chute andyieldably biased in one direction,

f. control means for pivotally adjusting the deflector from the controlstation, including f-l. a mounting bracket on the chute,

f-2. a first cable guide mounted on the bracket in line with the axis ofrotation of the chute,

f-3. a second cable guide mounted low on the front of the chassisadjacent the pivotal axis of the snow removal frame,

f-4. a third cable guide mounted high on the chas- SIS,

f-5. a cable secured to the deflector and passing upwardly from thedeflector through the first cable guide, the second cable guide and thethird cable guide and having an end accessible for adjustment adjacentthe control station for moving the deflector to adjusted positions.

10. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 9, wherein the firstcable guide comprises a pulley block mounted on the bracket for pivotalmovement about said upright axis and a pulley rotatable on the block.

11. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 9 wherein the mountingbracket comprises an upright rod having one end secured to the chute.

12. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 9, wherein the mountingbracket comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket having opposite endssecured to the chute.

13. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 12, wherein the firstcable guide comprises an aperture in the upper portion of the mountingbracket concentric with said upright axis and lined with bearingmaterial.

14. A snow removal machine, comprising, a. a wheeled chassis having aprime mover and a control station, b. a snow removal frame on the frontof the chassis including a snow gathering housing, c. snow removalblades rotatable in the housing and driven by the prime mover, d. anupwardly directed snow discharge chute rotatable on the housing about anupright axis, e. a deflector pivotally mounted on the upper end of thechute, f. means yieldably biasing the deflector upwardly,

remotecontrol means for pivotally adjusting the deflector from thecontrol station, including 1" gl. a mounting bracket of inverted U-shapehaving lower ends'secured to opposite sides of the chute and an upperportion disposed above the chute behind the deflector.

g-2. a first cable guide mounied tin the upper"? bracket portion in linewith the axis of rotation of the chute, g-3. a second cable guidemounted low on the front of the chassis adjacent the pivotal axis of thesnow removal frame, f g-4. a third cable guide mounted high on thechassis,

g-5. a cable secured to the deflector and passing upwardly from thedeflector through the first' cable guide, the second cable guide and thethird' wherein the first ca'lble guide comprises a pulley block mountedon the bracket for pivotal movement about said'upright axis and a pulleyrotatable on the block.

16. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 14, wherein the firstcable guide comprises an aperture in the upper portion of the mountingbracket concentric ,tion; a guide pivotally mounted substantially on theaxis with said upright axis and lined with bearing material.

17. A snow removal'machine, comprising,

a. a wheeled chassis having a prime mover anda control station,

b. a snow removal frame on the chassis including a snow gatheringhousing,

c. snow removal blades rotatable in' the housing,

,d. an upwardly directed snow dischargejchute rotatable on the housingabout an upright axis, e. a deflector pivotally mounted on the upper endjot the chute and yieldably biased in one direction, and f. means forpivotally adjusting the deflector from the control station, includingf=l, a mounting bracket on the chute,

f=2. a cable guide mounted on the bracket in line with tl'l '"3XiS ofrotation of the chute,

f=3. a cable secured to the deflector and passing through the cableguide, and

f=4. an adjustable regulator on the chassis adjacent the control stationconnected to the cable for securing the cable in adjusted positions,said regulator including a flexible chain secured to the cable, a flangewith a chain guide secured to the chassis adjacent the control station,said flange including a slot for receiving the chain links to hold thechain in adjusted positions, said guide constraining the chain to thevicinity of the slot, and stops on opposite ends of the chain engageablewith the chain guide to limit chain movement.

18. In a snow removal machine, an adjustable snow directional device fordirecting snow particles forwardly and laterally of the machinecomprising: an upright chute for receiving snow particles from themachine and directing said particles upwardly to an upper end of saidchute, said chute being rotatable about an upright axis of rotation; adeflector pivoted to the chute for swinging movement between an upperposition and a lower position, the deflector being positionedtransversely of the open upper end of the chute to intercept and toredirect snow particles outwardly of the open upper end of the chute,the swinging movement of the deflector between said upper and lowerpositions varying the angular direction from the horizontal of the pathof snow particles from the chute; spring means normally urging thedeflector toward said upper posiof rotation of said chute and rotatableabout said axis; and means for selectively adjusting the deflectortoward said lower position, said means including lever means on thedeflector having a free end extending transversely of the axis ofrotation of the chute, and a single elongated, flexible, control cableextending rearwardly of the machine to a control station, said controlcable being secured to said free end and bearing on said guide, wherebymovement of said control cable against the action of said spring meanswill pivot said deflector downwardly to a pre-selected position ofadjustment, ,and rotation of the chute about its axis of rotation willswing said free end on a uniform radius about said axis of rotation sothat the deflector is maintained .in said pre-selected position ofadjustment during said rotation.

19. An adjustable snow directional device as specified in claim 18 inwhich the transversely extending free end of the lever means projectsrearwardly of the axisof rotation when the deflector is positioned todirect snow particles forwardly of the device.

20. An adjustable snow directional device as specitied in claim ,18 inwhich said chute is rotatable through an angle of at least 180.

.21. A snow removal machine for attachment to a vehicle comprising: asnow removal frame having a pivotable mounting for attachment to thevehicle, the frame including a snow gathering housing movable up anddown to conform to irregularities of the surface from which snow isbeing removed; an upright chute on the housing for receiving snowparticles from the housing and directing said particles upwardly to anupper end of said chute, said chute being rotatable about an uprightaxis of rotation; a deflector having a pivot connection adjacent theupper end of said chute for swinging movementbetween a first positionand a second posicent the pivotable mounting of the frame so that thefirst cable guide will swing on substantially the same radius about saidsecond cable guide and said pivotable mounting, whereby up and downmovement of the housing will not substantially affect a pre-selectedposition of adjustment of the deflector; and means for selectivelyadjusting the deflector toward the other of said positions, said meansincluding an attaching portion on the deflector spaced from saiddeflector pivot connection, and flexible cable means extendingrearwardly of the machine to a control station, said cable means beingsecured to said attaching portion and bearing on said cable guides,whereby movement of said cable means against the action of said springmeans will pivot said deflector toward the other of said positions to apre-selected position of adjustment, and during rotation of the chute,the first cable guide will be maintained substantially on the axis ofrotation of said chute so that the deflector is maintained in saidpre-selected position of adjustment during said rotation of the chuteand during up and down movement of the housing.

22. A snow removal machine as specified in claim 2] in which a thirdcable guide is provided between the second cable guide and the controlstation, and the cable means bears successively on said first, secondand third cable guides to define the path of the cable means to thecontrol station.

1. A snow removal machine, comprising, a. a wheeled chassis having acontrol station, b. a snow removal frame on the front of the chassisincluding a snow gathering housing, c. snow removal blades rotatable inthe housing, d. an upwardly directed snow discharge chute rotatable onthe housing about an upright axis, e. a curved deflector pivotallymounted on the upper end of the chute and yieldably biased in onedirection, and f. means for pivotally adjusting the deflector from thecontrol station, including f-1. an upright rod having one end secured tothe chute to afford a mounting bracket, f-2. a pulley block mounted onthe bracket for pivotal movement about the axis of rotation of thechute, f-3. a pullEy mounted on the block, f-4. cable guide means on thechassis, f-5. a cable secured to the deflector and passing from thedeflector about the pulley and through the cable guide means on thechassis, and f-6. having an end accessible for adjustment adjacent thecontrol station for moving the deflector to adjusted positions.
 2. Asnow removal machine as defined in claim 1, including a flexible chainattached to the accessible end of the cable, and a latch bracket on thechassis for holding the chain in longitudinally adjusted positions.
 3. Asnow removal machine comprising, a. a wheeled vehicle having a primemover and an operator''s station thereon, b. a snow removal frameworkattached to the front of the vehicle including a snow gathering housingand snow removal blades rotatable in the housing, c. an upwardlydirected snow discharge chute including a lower chute portion rotatableon the housing about an upright axis, an upper chute portion of invertedchannel shape, and pivot pins mounting opposite edges of the upper chuteportion on the lower chute portion, d. remote control means forpivotally adjusting the upper chute portion from the operator''sstation, including d-1. torsion springs mounted at each pivot jointbiasing the upper chute portion upwardly, d-2. a cable attachmentbracket on the rear of the upper chute portion, d-3. a pulley mountingbracket attached to the lower chute portion, d-4. a pulley mounted onthe pulley mounting bracket above the cable attachment bracket forpivotal movement about an upright axis coincident with the axis ofrotation of the lower chute portion, d-5. cable guide means on a frontportion of the vehicle, d-6. a handle adjustably mounted on the vehicleadjacent the operator''s station, d-7. a cable secured to the cableattachment bracket and passing around the pulley, through the cableguide means, and secured to the handle, and d-8. means for securing thehandle in adjusted positions against the bias of the torsion springsincluding a longitudinal guide on the chassis, a nut slidable in theguide and secured to the cable, and a thumb screw threaded in the nutfor locking the nut in adjusted positions.
 4. A snow removal machine asdefined in claim 3, including a flexible ball chain secured to the cableand comprising a plurality of balls connected by articulated links, anupright flange on the chassis having a slot for receiving said links tohold the chain, a guide adjacent the flange constraining the chain, andstops on opposite ends of the chain engageable with the chain guide tolimit chain movement in opposite directions.
 5. A snow removal machineas defined in claim 4, wherein said pulley mounting bracket comprises aninverted U-shaped bracket having opposite ends secured to the lowerchute portion.
 6. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 4, whereinsaid pulley mounting bracket comprises an upright rod having one endsecured to the lower chute portion.
 7. A snow removal machinecomprising, a. a wheeled vehicle having a prime mover and an operator''sstation thereon, b. a snow removal framework attached to the front ofthe vehicle including a snow gathering housing and snow removal bladesrotatable in the housing, c. an upwardly directed snow discharge chuteincluding a lower chute portion rotatable on the housing about anupright axis, an upper chute portion of inverted channel shape, andpivot pins mounting opposite edges of the upper chute portion on thelower chute portion, d. remote control means for pivotally adjusting theupper chute portion from the operator''s station, including d-1. torsionsprings mounted at each pivot joint biasing the upper chute portionupwardly, d-2. a cable attachment bracket on the rear of the upper chuteportion, d-3. a pulley mounting bracket attAched to the lower chuteportion, d-4. a pulley mounted on the pulley mounting bracket above thecable attachment bracket for pivotal movement about an upright axiscoincident with the axis of rotation of the lower chute portion, d-5.cable guide means on a front portion of the vehicle, d-6. a handleadjustably mounted on the vehicle adjacent the operator''s station, d-7.a cable secured to the cable attachment bracket and passing around thepulley, through the cable guide means, and secured to the handle, andd-8. means for securing the handle in adjusted positions against thebias of the torsion springs.
 8. A snow removal machine as defined inclaim 7, including a pulley block mounted on the pulley mounting bracketfor pivotal movement about said upright axis and rotatably supportingsaid pulley.
 9. A snow removal machine, comprising, a. a wheel chassishaving a prime mover and a control station, b. a snow removal framepivotally mounted about an axis low on the front of the chassisincluding a snow gathering housing movable up and down, c. snow removalblades rotatable in the housing, d. an upwardly directed snow dischargechute rotatable on the housing about an upright axis, e. a deflectorpivotally mounted on the upper end of the chute and yieldably biased inone direction, f. control means for pivotally adjusting the deflectorfrom the control station, including f-1. a mounting bracket on thechute, f-2. a first cable guide mounted on the bracket in line with theaxis of rotation of the chute, f-3. a second cable guide mounted low onthe front of the chassis adjacent the pivotal axis of the snow removalframe, f-4. a third cable guide mounted high on the chassis, f-5. acable secured to the deflector and passing upwardly from the deflectorthrough the first cable guide, the second cable guide and the thirdcable guide and having an end accessible for adjustment adjacent thecontrol station for moving the deflector to adjusted positions.
 10. Asnow removal machine as defined in claim 9, wherein the first cableguide comprises a pulley block mounted on the bracket for pivotalmovement about said upright axis and a pulley rotatable on the block.11. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 9 wherein the mountingbracket comprises an upright rod having one end secured to the chute.12. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 9, wherein the mountingbracket comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket having opposite endssecured to the chute.
 13. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 12,wherein the first cable guide comprises an aperture in the upper portionof the mounting bracket concentric with said upright axis and lined withbearing material.
 14. A snow removal machine, comprising, a. a wheeledchassis having a prime mover and a control station, b. a snow removalframe on the front of the chassis including a snow gathering housing, c.snow removal blades rotatable in the housing and driven by the primemover, d. an upwardly directed snow discharge chute rotatable on thehousing about an upright axis, e. a deflector pivotally mounted on theupper end of the chute, f. means yieldably biasing the deflectorupwardly, g. remote control means for pivotally adjusting the deflectorfrom the control station, including g-1. a mounting bracket of invertedU-shape having lower ends secured to opposite sides of the chute and anupper portion disposed above the chute behind the deflector. g-2. afirst cable guide mounted on the upper bracket portion in line with theaxis of rotation of the chute, g-3. a second cable guide mounted low onthe front of the chassis adjacent the pivotal axis of the snow removalframe, g-4. a third cable guide mounted high on the chassis, g-5. acable secured to the deflector and passing upwArdly from the deflectorthrough the first cable guide, the second cable guide and the thirdcable guide and having an end accessible for adjustment adjacent thecontrol station for moving the deflector to adjusted positions, and g-6.means for securing the accessible end of the cable in adjustedpositions.
 15. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 14 wherein thefirst cable guide comprises a pulley block mounted on the bracket forpivotal movement about said upright axis and a pulley rotatable on theblock.
 16. A snow removal machine as defined in claim 14, wherein thefirst cable guide comprises an aperture in the upper portion of themounting bracket concentric with said upright axis and lined withbearing material.
 17. A snow removal machine, comprising, a. a wheeledchassis having a prime mover and a control station, b. a snow removalframe on the chassis including a snow gathering housing, c. snow removalblades rotatable in the housing, d. an upwardly directed snow dischargechute rotatable on the housing about an upright axis, e. a deflectorpivotally mounted on the upper end of the chute and yieldably biased inone direction, and f. means for pivotally adjusting the deflector fromthe control station, including f-1. a mounting bracket on the chute,f-2. a cable guide mounted on the bracket in line with the axis ofrotation of the chute, f-3. a cable secured to the deflector and passingthrough the cable guide, and f-4. an adjustable regulator on the chassisadjacent the control station connected to the cable for securing thecable in adjusted positions, said regulator including a flexible chainsecured to the cable, a flange with a chain guide secured to the chassisadjacent the control station, said flange including a slot for receivingthe chain links to hold the chain in adjusted positions, said guideconstraining the chain to the vicinity of the slot, and stops onopposite ends of the chain engageable with the chain guide to limitchain movement.
 18. In a snow removal machine, an adjustable snowdirectional device for directing snow particles forwardly and laterallyof the machine comprising: an upright chute for receiving snow particlesfrom the machine and directing said particles upwardly to an upper endof said chute, said chute being rotatable about an upright axis ofrotation; a deflector pivoted to the chute for swinging movement betweenan upper position and a lower position, the deflector being positionedtransversely of the open upper end of the chute to intercept and toredirect snow particles outwardly of the open upper end of the chute,the swinging movement of the deflector between said upper and lowerpositions varying the angular direction from the horizontal of the pathof snow particles from the chute; spring means normally urging thedeflector toward said upper position; a guide pivotally mountedsubstantially on the axis of rotation of said chute and rotatable aboutsaid axis; and means for selectively adjusting the deflector toward saidlower position, said means including lever means on the deflector havinga free end extending transversely of the axis of rotation of the chute,and a single elongated, flexible, control cable extending rearwardly ofthe machine to a control station, said control cable being secured tosaid free end and bearing on said guide, whereby movement of saidcontrol cable against the action of said spring means will pivot saiddeflector downwardly to a pre-selected position of adjustment, androtation of the chute about its axis of rotation will swing said freeend on a uniform radius about said axis of rotation so that thedeflector is maintained in said pre-selected position of adjustmentduring said rotation.
 19. An adjustable snow directional device asspecified in claim 18 in which the transversely extending free end ofthe lever means projects rearwardly of the axis of rotation when theDeflector is positioned to direct snow particles forwardly of thedevice.
 20. An adjustable snow directional device as specified in claim18 in which said chute is rotatable through an angle of at least 180*.21. A snow removal machine for attachment to a vehicle comprising: asnow removal frame having a pivotable mounting for attachment to thevehicle, the frame including a snow gathering housing movable up anddown to conform to irregularities of the surface from which snow isbeing removed; an upright chute on the housing for receiving snowparticles from the housing and directing said particles upwardly to anupper end of said chute, said chute being rotatable about an uprightaxis of rotation; a deflector having a pivot connection adjacent theupper end of said chute for swinging movement between a first positionand a second position, the deflector being positioned transversely ofthe open upper end of the chute to intercept and to redirect snowparticles outwardly of the open upper end of the chute, the swingingmovement of the deflector between said first and second positionsvarying the angular direction from the horizontal of the path of snowparticles from the chute; spring means normally urging the deflectortoward one of said positions; a first cable guide positionedsubstantially on the axis of rotation of said chute and a second cableguide positioned adjacent the pivotable mounting of the frame so thatthe first cable guide will swing on substantially the same radius aboutsaid second cable guide and said pivotable mounting, whereby up and downmovement of the housing will not substantially affect a pre-selectedposition of adjustment of the deflector; and means for selectivelyadjusting the deflector toward the other of said positions, said meansincluding an attaching portion on the deflector spaced from saiddeflector pivot connection, and flexible cable means extendingrearwardly of the machine to a control station, said cable means beingsecured to said attaching portion and bearing on said cable guides,whereby movement of said cable means against the action of said springmeans will pivot said deflector toward the other of said positions to apre-selected position of adjustment, and during rotation of the chute,the first cable guide will be maintained substantially on the axis ofrotation of said chute so that the deflector is maintained in saidpre-selected position of adjustment during said rotation of the chuteand during up and down movement of the housing.
 22. A snow removalmachine as specified in claim 21 in which a third cable guide isprovided between the second cable guide and the control station, and thecable means bears successively on said first, second and third cableguides to define the path of the cable means to the control station.